Snowday = FUNDAY!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, we had a big snowstorm that left us inside for the whole day and honestly for most of the week.  The drifts were at least up to my husband's knees and I was a procrastinating mama who never got around to getting my kiddos snow boots or snow pants so there was NO chance we were going outside.  With that being decided, I chose to bring the snow INDOORS.  YES INDOORS!!!!!!  EEK!  It's actually pretty fun.  You should try it!

Honestly, this is just so simple and you can put your own twist on it. Here's what I used:

• Snow
• Big bowls - can use pots, pans, plastic storage tubs
• Spoons, bowl, cups
• Towels - keep handy for wiping up snow globs on the floor and for wiping little cold fingers

Basically when my kiddos were playing with this cold stuff, they were taking away a lot of opportunities to learn some awesome stuff:

• Language - cold, wet, big, little, scooping, hard, soft, colors, spoons, dumping, melting, clumping
• Cause & effect - the snow is white and flaky, but melts after sometime; if i put the snow in here (bowl) & dump it out it keeps it shape; I can use this spoon to fill my bowl; if I clump the snow together, it becomes hard
• Size comparison & volume - scooping the snow, putting it into bowls
• Size seriation - when we attempted to make tiny snowmen, there were three different sizes of snowballs
• Sensory experience

This activity doesn't need a lot of explanation or instructions.  Primarily, you give them snow and let them explore to their hearts desire.  My son LOVED it, but my daughter didn't enjoy having wet/cold hands but she still continuously played in it.  She did, though, ask me every two minutes to wipe her hand.  :-)

Look at that face!  This is the reason towels come in handy!!

To give some other components to the snow play, you can add:

• Colored water/colored markers
• Cookie cutters
• Warm water to watch the snow melt
• Different sizes of spoons and bowls

Let me know what your favorite thing to do in the snow is?

"I Spy" Binocular Game

Children are always very curious about their world and its surroundings.  This is something that some parents might not be aware of, but you can easily teach your child great vocabulary and language skills using resources that are readily available to you in this busy world.  Basically, today's activity is something that you can do using very few materials, but can also open up a world of knowledge for both parent and child.  It is also a small twist on a popular game that I've played with my preschoolers and that some may already know!

Through "I Spy", we will learn:

• How to follow directions
• How to take turns
• New vocabulary - colors, shapes, , numbers, letters, animals, objects, etc.
• New language skills - repetition, sentence structure

Items that you need include:

• Toilet paper tube 
  
• Stickers, Collage Items
• Glue if needed
• Books, Magazines, Newspaper Ads

First, take the toilet paper tube and decorate it as you wish.  I used stickers because they are just so easy to use.  I placed them where I wanted and this step is actually up to you.  If you don't want to decorate, you can skip this step.  

Next, find a book your child likes, popular newspaper ads, or magazines that have nice, vivid pictures, letters, or numbers that your child is able to identify easily.  Pictured below are books, grocery ads, and a magazine I received in the mail.

After finding the objects you are going to use, you will take the toilet paper tube and pretend that it is a one-scope binocular or magnifying glass.  You will inform your child that you are going to go on a "I Spy" treasure hunt.  When you are ready, this is how this activity will play out.  

"I Spy with my little eye..."

A pink pig

Your child will then use his or her "binocular" or "magnifying glass" to find the pink pig.

Other examples...

I Spy with my little eye a purple dress...

I Spy with my little eye Cap'n Crunch...

I Spy with my little eye the letter "S"

Honestly, this game isn't always about pictures.  It can also be about letters, numbers, colors, or shape recognition.  This game is yours to dictate.  You decide what you feel you want your child to learn and have fun with it!

Extension activity:

Take it on the road ~ Summer is coming to a close, but I know there have to be a few more road trips left :-)  Have your child take his or her binoculars with him or her and play "I Spy" on the road.  Look for familiar objects such as restaurants, road signs, and vehicles.  Trust me, this game can be a lifesaver in the car!

Since this game is so diverse, how else do you play "I Spy"?  Share your thoughts!